At WithumSmith+Brown, one of the largest public accounting and consulting firms along the eastern seaboard, they put an emphasis on employee involvement and satisfaction. They want their employees to be engaged and get the most out of their careers.
Here are 10 tips for anyone who wants to move up the ladder and have success in business:
1. Feel confident and know every aspect of the position you have now. Always ask questions when you aren’t sure how to do something. Performing your current role 110 percent makes you an asset to your team.
2. Find out everything you can about the roles and responsibilities associated with the next level of advancement you want to achieve. Feel free to ask your mentor or department leader what is expected of you in order to move up to the next level. Then ask yourself if what you are doing is helping you stay on the path to that promotion. A rule of thumb we like to offer is that to walk-the-walk of the next level to get that promotion you want.
3. Be a team player. Because so much of our work is accomplished through teams – departmental, niche or cross-functional – it becomes even more important to share successes with your team and to avoid pointing your finger when there are failures. By being a team player, you build a positive reputation and increase your value . Always share credit when things go well and take the blame when they don’t.
4. Cultivate a relationship with a mentor. One recent study found that in four out of five promotions, those promoted had a mentoring relationship with someone higher in their company who helped spread the good word about them.
5. Go above and beyond the call of duty. Establish yourself as being willing to take on extra tasks when asked. Many times people make the mistake of just trying to fulfill their current job requirements. If you want to move up, you need to perform the tasks necessary for the next level.
6. Keep a positive outlook on things, even when in tough situations. Remember, enthusiasm for the job is infectious, and a smile and a pleasant attitude can work wonders. Keep in mind “life is good” at all times. Read the Dale Carnegie book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. This will help you put work and career challenges in perspective.
7. Be punctual, reliable and accessible. It is a very good thing when a partner calls or emails you with a question, and you are there to respond right away. Always show up to meetings 10-15 minutes in advance and call into conference calls 5 minutes in advance.
8. Join an industry or service group. There’s no better way to build your personal brand as a thought leader and a professional – both inside and outside of the firm – than to get involved with one (or two max) niche groups. Take advantage of the many networking and education opportunities these groups present by attending development meetings, industry conferences and networking events, or by joining a committee. These events sometimes take place outside of normal business hours, but they create tremendous opportunities for you to grow in your career and expand your business network. Participating in these activities helps to convert your efforts from “doing your job” to “building your career.”
9. Join a board or committee of a community-based or professional organization. Part of an organization’s mission should be to give back to the communities they serve. This is also a great way to expand your network.
10. Take all training opportunities offered and stay informed. It goes without saying that one of the best ways to succeed in being promoted is to expand your knowledge and skill sets in areas that are critical to any profession. As laws and regulations – and even technology – change rapidly, you need an ever-increasing skill set to perform your job.
Founded in 1974, WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“Withum”) is one of the largest regional public accounting and consulting firms along the eastern seaboard. With 14 offices and 700 employees across six states, Withum ranks #28 nationally and #5 in New Jersey. Serving some of the best companies in the region and worldwide – inclusive off tech and start-ups of all sizes, Withum provides clients with a full suite of accounting, audit, tax and consulting services, as well as specialized support to more than 12 major industry sectors. For more information, visit www.withum.com.